Learn How To Use Your Digital Camera

Chicago

Chicago

Welcome to the DPA workshops in Chicago! You have the choice of learning from DPA instructors Don Peters, Alexander Gouletas, Robert Shimer, Sai Sivanesan and Tom McKenzie.

Certainly with 20 plus years experience as pro shooters, our Chicago instructors are more than equipped to instruct advanced photographers, but also have a passion for beginners.

‘They come in with a clean slate,’ Gould says, ‘and I get to teach them how to use their cameras, and inspire them to continue taking photos. Getting a beginner to take a well-composed image makes me a happy teacher.’

Comments to “Chicago”

“Hi, Richard. Thanks for checking in with me about the photo workshop. The instructor was very personable and well informed and took the time to answer everyone’s questions, as well as personal hands-on instruction. I was very impressed with the quality of the workshop and felt it motivated me to learn more about using my camera. I look forward to taking additional workshops in the future.

“Sorry I haven’t sent a more detailed report or reviews of the pics others have posted. Honestly, I feel a little intimidated by my inexperience. I really enjoyed getting to spend three hours focused (no pun intended) entirely on taking photos. Even though I didn’t spend my time on the technical aspects of my shots, I loved seeing the city from the perspective of the water taxi and as a photographer. Isaac was more serious about applying the techniques Don taught us, and really enjoyed the experience. ”

“I definitely enjoyed the class. I thought the location and route along the Chicago River was very good in providing unique photo opportunities. Don was a very good instructor and explained camera techniques well and understandably. In addition to that, I think that he did well in making the point that photography is really just an art and you should try to capture a piece of art in your shots rather than just a photo. Good class.”

“Love your pictures, especially the girl and her reflection in the water.
I also wanted to say i really appreciate the handouts, and the gear tips. Both are super helpful!
I had a great time! Thanks for a fabulous day!”

“I just want to let you know I had a great time learning composition with Don Peters.
Unfortunately I got late, however Don was very kind and helped me to catch up
and I learn a lot and had a very good time.
Don was very responsive and help to look things on different way that resulted in very nice photos. He looked at my pictures and gave honest and creative feedback.

“Just wanted to pass along a shot I took last night. Don Peters has been great to work with and continues to offer constructive advise on how I can take my images to the next level. I still have a very long way to go….

“Thank you so much for the wonderful class taught by Tom McKenzie in Detroit!!! I was visiting from Boston, and my sister bought me a space in his class. He did a beautiful job – as I learned so much from his instruction.”

“I really enjoyed your instructional photography course this weekend. I really learned a great deal as you provide details and clarification on topics that I have been reading about and could not quite figure out. I guess its true that their is not substitute for actually getting out their and doing it. So in the sprit of getting out their and practicing I took your advice and went out after the class and bought that Calumet Genesis 400
strobe lighting key that we discussed. I guess I have got the bug and am in the game now.
That said, I really would like to lean more about studio lighting techniques and the correct method for controlling light in a 3 light setup. On your card that you gave me I see you have a studio. Not sure if you do one on one training or rent out your space for individual use but I would love to discuss these options if available. My plan is to practice with my equipment and I would welcome any pointers and or assistance. Also, any readings that you feel would be helpful would be appreciate.
Again, Thanks so much for the information provided during this Saturday class. I learned a great deal and hope that I have the opportunity to work with you in the future.”
-Forrest Barnes III

“Was good talking to you today. Thanks again for the Italy advice and more importantly, thanks for the time you spent with me on the advanced digital course. I don’t know if the results are evident, but I certainly am thinking about the things you said when out shooting.

Attached are some contact sheets I generated in Lightroom and printed to PDF. A subset of some shots I took in San Francisco last week. Most of the shots have very little post-processing as of yet. I’d be very interested in any feedback relative to composition, exposure, subject, etc. Also any post-processing recommendations. All handheld – no tripod.

I don’t mean to take up much of your valuable time, but any feedback you wish to share will help reinforce the lessons learned.

“I took a seminar at your studio several months ago. It was great and it covered the basics about digital camera use. Thanks for putting on the seminar — I found the information really helpful. I would like to ask your advice regarding choosing a lens specifically for taking portraits. If you could recomend a specific lens I would be very greatful.

“It was a pleasure meeting you and taking the Photoshop class with you a week ago. It was interesting to get your approach on photography. I have been thinking about the class and the Photoshop commands I learned are very useful. The commands we were able to explore were the spot healing, red eye, patch, auto levels, brightness/contrast, crop, channel mixer, cloning and dodge/burn. Were there any commands that we did not have time to explore? If so, I would be interested to know so I can read about and practice them myself. As we discussed, Photoshop can do a thousand different things, but it is best to learn the most useful tools at the beginning. I also enjoyed the general the photography knowledge that you shared. Thank you for your time.”

“Whenever Robert gave us pointers or talked with us as a group, he made a point of making sure we found a nice shady spot. We huddled under the trees and found shade where we could! I left the class knowing more than I did before I came — which I would imagine was the point! He was very personable, very knowledgeable and was able to answer any and all questions. He was patient and showed us examples of his own that helped us visualize composition in the field by viewing things from different angles and looking at things differently.”

“I just want to drop you a note to thank you for making the class with Robert happen today. Robert was knowledgable, personable, entertaining, and the experience with a real working professional was more valuable than I can tell you. While Robert followed the curriculum, he was still able to adjust the session to address my personal questions and needs. I would definately consider doing something like this again.”

“I am writing to let you know that my instructor, Robert Potter, was the best teacher I have ever had. I went through a semester in college for photography and no one taught it like he did. I learned more in the one day I was with Potter, than I learned that whole semester in college. I was so excited about learning so much, I didn’t sleep much the next few days. I thank Potter for putting my excitement back into my first love/passion, photography! I can’t wait to take another class. Thanks so much DPA and Potter!”

“Mr. Potter addressed a wide array of topics with thorough explanations into each subject. I feel that everything I could have thought of (and more) was addressed throughout the day. It was an incredible learning experience!”

“Contacting you regarding my class yesterday with photographer Robert Potter. The experience was amazing. It was the most exhilarating time for me. We saw some amazing sites and took great pictures. I cannot wait to look over my pictures to see the details that I took away from the class. These types of classes are hit or miss to me, because there are so many variables that have to go right. It’s almost like a blind date, you never know what you’re going to get. However, Robert was amazing and the other students were great. We all worked pretty well. There was a lot of tips given and explanation of how to get better shots, and tips and tricks. I absolutely loved it.”

“I had a lovely time and learned an extensive amount from Mr. Potter. He was patient, kind, and knowledgeable. He taught us many items that we expected to learn and went well beyond the initial scope of the class to meet our needs/interests as appropriate.”

“I participated in the Lincoln Park Zoo Composition in the Field class with Robert Potter. I thought it was a fantastic class. Robert was so informative and he really answered all my questions. He did such a great job of giving each student individual support with their camera. I was so inspired after leaving the class I spent much of the rest of the day and the next day taking pictures using the information he taught me. He made a camera that I thought was great before even better because now I actually understand how to use it!! Thank you for the experience and the wonderful instructor!”

“Dear Don, Just a quick thank you for today’s wonderful class at St. James–my daughter Moira and I loved it, thank you so much. We’ll be back to try to join you in your next class…need to check schedules and get our ‘ducks in a row’ — we will be steadfast with our manuals and basic ‘fun practice’ and hope to see you again soon. I do especially hope my son Matthew will join us one time too. You are an awesome teacher Don, it was an honor being with you! Enjoy the rest of your weekend…take care, Moira Felish and Mary Murray (Mom) Felish (and Matthew in absentia!) PS Please keep us posted too about shows where your work may be featured. I am trying to take the kids to photography shows and I think yours would be incredible.”

“Thanks again for a great class yesterday.. We could not have had a better day for weather, the class size was perfect for learning as a group, the dynamics of the group worked well together, everyone interacted with everyone else. We don’t always get that.. And needless to say the
instructor was very informative but more than that you were there for us and we felt that.. You stayed very engaged with us, watching us and making sure we were understanding.. Your enthusiasm for photography and people shows through!!!”

“I have learned so much from you and I thank you for being a remarkable instructor. I will be finally moving out of Green mode (auto mode) on my DSLR and start exploring other interesting features. You made the class interesting and fun and instilled me with the desire to continue learning.

I appreciate you letting me know what I am doing wrong along with giving me ways I can correct my mistakes. It is comforting to know that whenever I have a question you answer right away.

“I just wanted to tell you how much my husband and I enjoyed the photography class at the Lincoln Park Zoo (8/3/13), taught by Don Peters. My husband is an avid amateur photographer with years of experience and lots of camera equipment, and I’m a novice with no skills at all, comfortable with just a point-and-shoot. I purchased our tickets through Groupon for my husband’s birthday, thinking that he would love a “composition in the field” photography class. I didn’t realize until after the class was over that he actually was dreading the class beforehand, because he expected it would be too structured and simplified. I was somewhat apprehensive for the opposite reason — I feared it would be too advanced and intimidating for a novice like me. Both of us ended up being pleasantly surprised.

Don Peters is an excellent teacher who adjusts his teaching to fit the skill levels and needs of his students. He presented basic information at the beginning of the class that was clear enough for me to understand, and yet helpful even for an experienced photographer like my husband. Then he led our group around the zoo to practice the skills he taught us. He was always available to answer questions and assist us, but there was no pressure to do things a certain way. He encouraged us to experiment. We both came away feeling like we learned a lot; I was not intimidated, and my husband was not bored. 🙂 Don even followed up with handouts of helpful tips for things he noticed people in our group seemed to be interested in, like photographing flowers, or how to adjust the shutter speed to “freeze” the water flowing from a fountain.

We came away from the class feeling like it was definitely worth it. Don Peters is good at explaining concepts and helping his students to feel comfortable. I would take a class from him again, and I would recommend him to others.”

“I just wanted to let you know that I attended the Church Street/Lake Eola (Orlando) Composition in the Field class on March 23rd with Don Peters. He did a fantastic job and I thoroughly enjoyed it. He catered the class to the student’s needs and desires and I appreciate that as I am very new at it.

Don is a great asset to your company. I hope you offer more classes with him.”

“I attended the Composition class Saturday in Chicago. It was a WONDERFUL experience!!! I learned from the moment I arrived! I learned about the settings on my camera that I had no idea about. I learned to take some great and fun shots that I need to practice now. I appreciated the instructor Don Peters, who taught camera settings, suggestions for different angles to photograph, as well as types of photography (like moving cars, etc.).

It was a great way to spend the day!

I think I’d like to practice what I learned at this class and then take the same class again in several months to further deepen my knowledge about both my camera and about photo composition.

“Thanks so very much for a wonderful day with you. I learned a lot and realize how much more I would have absorbed the weather had been more cooperative. Still, it was an amazing day of learning and fun.

I’ll keep checking the website to see if you’re teaching other courses as I’d enjoy registering again. I did, by the way, mention Digital Academy to my flickr-photo friends.”

“Thanks very much for the offer. I did just want to say that I attended the class with my mom, and we had a really great experience. Yes the weather was pretty oppressive, and Millennium Park was really crowded, but Alex was good and the actually venue of Millenium Park offered a really cool backdrop for this type of class. My mom and I were beginners in the truest sense of the word, but Alex was patient and gave good direction. We were sharing a camera and the batteries died mid-class (yes, we were those people), and Alex had batteries on hand that he gave us, and he even let me use his own extra camera to give us each more time with the concepts. So overall, it was a pleasant experince. I just wanted to let you know.
Thanks!”

“I just wanted to send a quick note to thank Alex, his team in Chicago, and your staff for a wonderful class last weekend. It as been years since I put my film SLR away for a digital point and shoot. Now that I have have my new camera, I feel inspired to get back shooting. Alex was great at giving us direction and pointers to make our shots even stronger throughout the class.